Cash register



Sept. 1, 1931. w. GREEN 1,821,339

oAs'n REeIawsn Original Filed April 15. 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 1 E 5 3 85%('harlesllllirceq,

Sept. 1, 1931. c. w. GREEN 1,821,339

CASH REGISTER Original Filed April 13. 1927 3 Shasta-Sheet 2 Sept. 1,1931. c. W. GREEN 1,321,339

CASH REGISTER Original Filed April 13. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I,

avwento'p QQLM i Patented Sept. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECHARLES W. GREEN, OF ILION, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO REMINGTON ARMSCOMPANY,

INC., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE CASH REGISTER Original application filedApril 13, 1927, Serial No. 183,392. Divided and this application filedNovember This application is a division of my copending application,Serial Number 183,392, filed April 13, 1927, to which reference may behad for a more complete description of the cash register to which thepresent invention has been applied. While the improvements set forth inthis application are shown in conjunction with a particular type of cashregister as illustrated in the parent application, their utility is byno means limited to this specific embodiment. The improvements are ofsuch a nature that they may be applied in various modifications to manyother types of cash registers and accounting machines.

A broad object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmechanism for indicating or exposing thevalue of a transaction. In thisconnection the invention relates particularly to the construction andarrangementof the indicating elements and to the provision of improvedmeans for holding up the operated indicators and releasing at eachoperation those that have been previously operated.

My invention is disclosed in conjunction with indicators of the socalledtablet type,

, since the inherent characteristics of indicators of this type providemany advantages over others. They present a plane surface to the eye andthe extent of surface on each is great enough to permit the useofcharacters of such size that they may be read from a reasonabledistance. One disadvantage of the usual form of tablet indicators, how-'ever, as applied to a machine of the general type illustrated arisesfrom the fact that the keys are arranged transversely or the machine andthat the ends of the keys must 7 directly co-operate with the indicatorstems.

This has usually necessitated a corresponding arrangement of theindicators and keys whereby adjacent indicators of different groupsoverlap each other. The result has been an indication which is confusingsince two adjacent numbers could not be clearly exposed but by changingthe form of the indicators and rouping the indicators according todenominations the objection just mentioned may be overcome. Vfhile suchSerial No. 318,399.

grouping of the indicators eliminates many of the objectionable featuresof the prior art constructions in which the indicators are otherwisearranged, the grouping of indicators in different denominations alsobrings up another objection. Since the indicators, due to theirthickness, cannot be arranged compactly enough to bring them all in subsantially the same plane within reasonable anceof the glass through whichthey are read, if the indication is viewed from any position except fromdirectly in front of the machine, one indicator may partly concealanother and thus interfere with the utility of the indicators. Thisproblem in the machine shown has been solved by dividing the indicatorsof a particular denominational group further into separate smallergroups. The construction and arrangement which have been devised r sultin an indication which is very satisfactory both from the viewpoint ofmanufacture and commercial use.

A further object of the invention consists in providing indicators whichare simple in construction, being formed without lugs or any otherprojections, and cooperate with an element so constructed and arrangedas to coact with the indicators to hold them in elevated position untilit is desired to drop them.

Another object is the provision of a novel and effective means forpreventing overthrow of operated indicators.

[in additional object is to provide a novel operating or controllingmeans for the membar which holds and releases the indicator tablets.

llith these and incidental objects in View th invention consists ofcertain novel feaes of construction and combination of ts, the essentialelements of which are set fo :th in the appended claims and a preferredform of embodiment of which is hereinafter des ril with reference to thedrawings which accompany and form part of this specilication.

Of said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of the machine in connection with which myinvention is 'units, dimes and dollars.

illustrated, the cabinet being cut away to show the arrangement of themechanism located within. This view shows particularly the grouping ofthe novel indicators together with the indicator operating means and thevarious controlling keys.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear view showing the construction and arrangement of theindicators and the cooperating retaining bar.

Fig. 1 is a view taken on line d4c of Fig. 1, showing particularly themeans for controlling the operation of the retaining bar.

Keg s, key coupler and fuZZ stroke (Zem'ee Described in general termsthe illustrative machine comprises keys 32 1 and 2) divided into groups;one group for each denominational order, such as, for example,Gbviously, more amount keys could be provided if more groups or higherdenominational ord rs were desired, so as to increase the capacity ofthe machine. A special key 31 is also provided and is designated as theNo sale key, the primary function of which is to release the cash drawerfor the making of change.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the amount keys 32 and the No sale key 31 arepivoted upon a shaft 33 supported by the side plates 20 and 21. In orderto provide a suitable bearing for the shaft 33, since the side platesare of relatively thin material, these plates 20 and 21 are punched anddrawn outwardly at the proper points so as to form portions 3 1 1) inthe form of collars, the internal bore being substantially that of thediameter of the'key supporting shaft 33. By the construction justdescribed suitable journalling points are provided for the said supportshaft. Lateral movement of the shaft 33 is prevented by the cabinet 27,the sides of which are adjacent the ends of said shaft.

The amount keys 32 and No sale key 31,

V which carry at their respective outward ends or front portions thereofsuitable key cups bearing indicia designating the nature of the keys,play in the vertical slots 28 (Fig. 2)

, formed in the cabinet. At their rear ends the keys are guided by slots35 (Figs. 2 and 3) formed in a plate 36 secured to the cross bar 25 byscrews 37 Extending between the side plates 20 and j 21 and resting uponthe rear ends of the keys is a key coupler 39. The key coupler ispivotally supported by means of plates 40 and 41 (Figs. 1 and 2)attached to the key coupler and which are suitably apertured to receivea transverse shaft 4-2 located approximately above the aforementionedshaft 33. Said shaft 412 is supported by the side plates 20 and 21 in amanner similar to the shaft 33. It will be obvious that when the forwardends of the keys are depressed the key coupler 39 will be rockedclockwise so that its rearward end will enter the notches 38 of thedepressed keys. The purpose of such key coupler mechanism is well knownin the art and need not be discussed herein.

As is well understood, in machines of this character means are providedfor effecting the entry into a totalizer or registering device ofamounts represented by the keys depressed. Various types of means foraccomplishing this function are known in the art, and, in addition, inmy parent application aforesaid there is disclosed mechanism for thispurpose. Since such mechanism does not constitute part of the inventionclaimed in the present application it will not be herein described.

To insure a complete performance of the started registration before asecond operation can subsequently be effected, any suitable full-strokemechanism may be employed (such, for example, as that disclosed in myparent application hereinbefore referred to). Various full-strokedevices are well known in the art and need not be here discussed.

Indicating mechanism The present invention, as has been previouslynoted, is concerned particularly with improvements in indicatingmechanism whereby the items as represented by the various keys arepublicly indicated during each operation of the machine. The indicatorsin the present instance comprise flat tablets 140' bearing suitableindicia, the tablets being provided with stems which directly cooperatewith the rear ends of the operating keys. As best shown in Figs. 2, 3and 4, the indicators are arranged in groups of three so that for a fullbank of nine keys there will. be three adjacent groups of indicators. Bythis construction it will be obvious that the indicators are more nearlyin the same plane than would be possible if each group contained thenine tablets related to aparticular denomination. Also in the event ofthe depression of the adjacent keys of different denominational ordersone indicator will not hide the other to the same extent as if they wereotherwise arranged.

The upper portions 140 of the indicators. as will be seen in 3, carrythe designating characters, and the character bearing portions are shownintegral with indicator stems 140. The indicators are confined andguided in their reciprocatory movements by having the stems fitted intoslots formed in an upper supporting plate 141 which is attached to across bar 24; and a lower supporting plate 142 which is attached tocross bar 25. It will be noted in Fig. 3 that, considering theindicators of a group of three, the foremost indicator has its stemoffset to one side of a central vertical line of the group so that thestem is in the path of the rear end of its related key. Furthermore, therearmost indicator of the same group has its stem offset to the otherside of the vertical center line so that this stem may also be in linewith its related key. The intermediate indicator of the group isdifferent in shape from the others and has its indicator stem centrallylocated so that it is directly in line with its related key. By thisconstruction and arrangement it will be obvious that each indicator maybe directly elevated by its associated key.

The stem 140 of each indicator is provided with a pair of centrallylocated rectangular slots 143 and 144 which are separated by an integralportion 145. Extending between the side frames of the machine is anindicator supporting bar or bail 146 located forwardly of the indicatorsand pivoted by integral side arms 147 which are apertured to receive ashaft 148 extending transversely of the machine and journalled in, theside frames 20 and 21. The bar 146 is of channel formation and the lowerhorizontal portion is formed with a plurality of projecting fingers 149substantially equal in length and each of which projects through thelower rectangular slot 144 of one of the indicator stems 140. Thecooperation of the lower ends of the slots 144 with the fingers 149serves to stop the upward movement of the indicators when raised bytheir keys and especially to prevent any overthrow movement of anindicator when the associated key is operated violently and quickly.

The upper portion of the channel bar 146 is also provided withprojecting fingers 150, which as shown in Fig. 1, are of differentlengths. I When the indicators are in their lowermost position eachfinger projects into the upper slot 143 of its associated indicator.However, when an indicator is elevated by the associated key the relatedfinger 150 will first be drawn out of cooperation with the upper slot143 by means which will presently be described, and will then cooperatewith the lower slot 144 beneath the cross portion 145, thus holding theindicator in raised position. It will be noted that since the fingers150 are of different lengths, so as to project into the slots of therelated indicator stems an equal amount, a definite rocking movement ofthe supporting bar 146 serves to disengage all the fingers 150 fromcooperation with said indicator slots, thus permitting all the raisedindicators to be released at substantially the same time during thecycle of operation of the indicator releasing mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 4 one of the side arms 147 of the indicating supportingbar 146 is connected to a slidable member 151 the forward end of whichis guided by a slotted stud 1552 (Figs. 1 and 4) carried by the leftside frame 20. The extreme forward end of the slidable member 151 isprovided with a lug 153 in the plane of an extension 154 of the keycoupler supporting plate 41. A spring 155 connected between the member151 and a stud carried by the left side frame 20 urges the member 151and indicator supporting bar 146 rearwardly to the position shown inFig. 4 until stopped by an extension 1471 integral with the left sidearm 147 coacting with the bar 24.

The operation of the above described mechanism is as follows, it beingassumed that an indicator has previously been elevated as shown in Figs.2 and 3, at which time it will be noted that the integral portion 145 ofthe indicator stem rests upon the associated finger 150 so that theindicator is held elevated where it may be observed through an openingin the upper portion of the cabinet. During the downward stroke of thekeys the extension 154 of the coupler supporting plate 41 will cooperatewith the lug 153 thereby forcing the member 151 forwardly against thetension of the spring 155, rocking the bar 146 so that at a certainpoint in the operation of the machine the finger 150 will be disengagedfrom the portion 145 of the previously elevated indicator. It beingassumed that the key corresponding with said indicator is not beingdepressed said previously elevated indicator will drop to its normalposition at which time the portion 145 will rest upon the related finger149 of bar 146 to retain the lower end of the indicator stem slightlyabove the associated key as will be best seen in 4. During the downwardstroke of the depressed keys the rear ends thereof will cooperate withthe stems of their related indicators, raising them so that as thefinger 150 is being drawn out of the path of the portion 145 of thepreviously raised indicator the portions 145 of the newly elevatedindicators will be permitted to pass above the related fingers 150,after which time the extension 154 will clear the lug 153 and permit thetension in the spring 155 to force the member 151 quickly rearwardly,thereby rocking the retaining bar 146 so that the fingers 150 projectinto the lower slots 144 of the newly raised indicators (Figs. 2 and 3)at a point beneath the portions 145 and thus holding said indicatorselevated.

When the extension 154 passes by the lug 153 permitting the spring 155to draw the slidable member 151 rearwardly, rearward movement of themember 151 is limited by the cooperation of the lug 153 with a shoulder156 formed in the extension 154. This occurs just prior to the extremedownward stroke of the keys so that continued movement of the keys willmove member 151 slightly forwardly and, as the keys return, the bar 151will move rearwardly until extension 1471 strikes bar 24, after whichthe shoulder 156 will leave the lug 153. This retains the bar 146 in itsoutward position for a slightly longer time than it would beotherwise,thus affording more time for the elevated indicators to dropto normal.

During the return movement of the keys the substantially. horizontaledge of the era tension 154 will cooperate with the lug 153 therebyrocking the sl-idable member 151 about its pivotal point withouteffecting any movement of the bar 1 16 and permitting the newly raisedindicators to be retained in elevated position. In rapid operations ofthe machine forward movement of the member 151 is limited by the contactof a shoulder 157 with the reduced portion of the stud 152.

Although the indicating mechanism and cooperating parts which have beenjust described are shown in connection with a particular type of cashregister it is readily apparent that they may be applied to other formsof cash registers or adding machines.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirablyadapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated it is to be understoodthat this embodiment is in '0- 1y illustrative, since the invention issusce=.=-

"tible of embodiment in various other forms all coming within the scopeof the claims which follow:

1. In a cash register, the combination of a plurality of indicatorshaving lifting stems, a pair of slots formed in each of said indicatorstems, said slots in each stem being sep arated by an integral portion,and a supporting member shiftable into cooperation with the integral.portions of the stems of those indicators which have been lifted toretain the indicators in exposed positions.

2. In a cash register, the combination of a plnrlity of indicatorshaving lifting stems, a pair of slots formed in each of said indicatorstems said slots in each stem bein se arated by anintegral portion, anda shift-able supporting member provided with lugs related to the severalindicators, and means for shifting said member to carry some of i saidlugs into cooperation with the integral portions of those indicatorswhich have been lifted to retain them in exposed positions.

3. In a cash register, the combination of an indicator provided with arectangular slot. means for lifting said indicator, a supporting platecooperating with the ends of said slot to limit the movement of theindicator in both directions, and a shif-table device adapted tocooperate with the upper end of the slot to retain the indicator inexposed position when elevated.

4. In a cash register, the combination of an indicator, a lifting devicetherefor, a pivotally mountedsupporting bar for said indicator, meansfor rocking the supporting bar into position to retain the indicatorexposed when lifted, and means caried by the supporting bar to preventoverthrow ofthe indicator as it is lifted.

5. Ina cash register, the combination of an indicator provided with a.slot, a lifting device therefor, a pivotally mounted supporting bar,means for rocking the supporting bar into cooperation with the slot toretain the indicator exposed when lifted, and means carried by thesupporting bar cooperating with the slot to prevent overthrow of theindicator as it is lifted.

6. In a cash register, the combination of an indicator provided with aplurality of rectangular slots, a supporting bar provided with a pair oflugs each normally cooperating with a related one of said slots, andmeans for moving the indicator and the supporting barso that both lugswill cooperate with only one slot.

7. In a cash register, the combination of an indicator provided with aplurality of rectangular slots, a supporting bar provided with a pair oflugs each normally cooperat ng with a related one of said slots, andmeans for lifting said indicator and concurrently moving the supportingbar to withdraw one of the lugs from its slot and return it into theother slot so that both lugs will cooperate with only one slot of thelifted indicator.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof indicators arranged in groups and one behind the other within thegroups, the stems of said indicators being provided with rectangularslots, a supporting bar provided with means cooperating with saidslotsand adapted to hold one in each of a plurality of groups elevated andmeansfor moving said bar so constructed and arranged that all of theelevated indicators willtbe released at substantially the same timeregardless of their positions within the groups.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof keys, a corresponding number of indicators adapted to be liftedthereby, a rectangular slot formed in each indicator, and a supportingbar for the indicators cooperating with the indicators for holding themelevated when lifted by their associated keys and cooperating with theslots to prevent overthrow as the indicators are lifted.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of an indi'ator, a supporting bar to hold said indicator when el vated, and meanscomprising a lug carried by the bar cooperating with a slot formed inthe indicator tolimit the movement of said indicator.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with aplurality of indicators, a supporting device therefor, an operatingmechanism, means operated by the operating mechanism for rocking thesupporting device against the action of spring tensioning means, andmeans controlled by said first mentioned means to arrest the initialreturn movement of. said supporting device when it is released formovement'by the spring tensioning means.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof liftable indicators, a supporting bar therefor, an oscillatoryoperating mechanism, a spring for urging said bar in one direction,means actuated by the operating mechanism on movement of the latter inone direction for rocking the bar against the tension in the spring torelease previously lifted indicators and for subsequently permitting thespring to rock the bar to hold the indicator in lifted position, andstop means carried by said first mentioned means for limiting theinitial return movement of said bar when it is rocked by said spring.

13. In a machine of the class described, a group of indicators allarranged in a roW one directly behind another, a stem extendingdownwardly from each indicator, said stems being each arranged in adifferent plane transversely and longitudinally with respect to theothers, a slot formed in each of said stems, and a bail provided withtWo sets of fingers one of each set of Which enters a slot in one ofsaid indicators, the fingers of one set being of equal length and thefingers of the other set being of unequal lengths.

14:. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of liftableindicators, a supporting bar therefor, an actuating member attached tosaid supporting bar, an oscillatory operat ing member having a pluralityof abutting faces for successively engaging said actuating member duringmovement of said operating member in one direction.

CHARLES W. GREEN.

